Erol Sozen, Imran Rahman and Martin O’Neill
Centered on upper echelons theory, this study aims to examine the interplay of US craft brewery owners’ green consumption values, environmental attitudes and environmental…
Abstract
Purpose
Centered on upper echelons theory, this study aims to examine the interplay of US craft brewery owners’ green consumption values, environmental attitudes and environmental proactivity of their craft breweries. In addition, the moderating role of business challenges on the effect of environmental attitudes on environmental proactivity is assessed.
Design/methodology/approach
An online questionnaire was distributed to a convenience sample of US craft brewers through the Brewers Association Brew Forum Blog. A total of 237 valid responses were received. Structural equation modeling was used for testing hypothetical relationships among key constructs in the proposed research model: environmental values, environmental involvement, environmental sustainability practices and business challenges.
Findings
The results showed that green consumption values positively and significantly influenced environmental attitudes and environmental proactivity. Findings also confirmed the significant positive influence of environmental attitude on environmental proactivity. Furthermore, business challenges moderated the relationship between owners’ environmental attitudes and environmental proactivity of the breweries such that the higher the extent of business challenges weaker is the relationship between environmental attitudes and environmental proactivity.
Originality/value
It is accepted that upper management’s individual beliefs surrounding environmentalism are a contributing factor to the environmental management policy of their company. However, there is very little empirical evidence to demonstrate the impact that these values have in a tangible sense. To satisfy this deficit in the research, the study aims to analyze the relationship between the brewery owners’ environmental outlook and the sustainability practices of their brewery, regarding the former as a key psychological characteristic, which influences and motivates the direction of the latter.
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The purpose of this paper is to compare restaurant managerial staff and employees’ attitudes toward food allergies, their food allergy knowledge and food allergy-related training.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to compare restaurant managerial staff and employees’ attitudes toward food allergies, their food allergy knowledge and food allergy-related training.
Design/methodology/approach
An online questionnaire was administered through a market research company (Qualtrics® Inc.). A total of 110 managerial staff and 229 restaurant employees completed this questionnaire.
Findings
Most restaurants were willing to modify recipes for customers with food allergies. Respondents felt that the customers should be responsible for expressing their food allergy needs. Both groups were able to identify certain symptoms of allergic reactions to food but lacked knowledge of allergen-handling practices. The managerial staff and employees had knowledge differences about how to respond to an allergic reaction (p<0.001) and how to identify peanut derivatives on food labels (p<0.000). In total, 70 percent of the managerial staff indicated that they provided employee food allergy training but only 40 percent of employees indicated receiving such training. The managerial staff identified a lack of employee commitment and interest as barriers to training provision. However, the employees identified different reasons (i.e. it is unnecessary and not beneficial).
Practical implications
Restaurants should have policies in place to accommodative customers with food allergies and make sure food allergy-related information is communicated to their customers via different outlets (i.e. restaurants’ websites and printed menus). Food allergy training should be designed based on the areas that need improvement, as knowledge may differ based on the position in the restaurants (managerial staff vs employees) and types of the restaurants (quick service vs casual dining). Pragmatic strategies need to be identified to better encourage and motivate restaurant employees to attend a food allergy training.
Originality/value
Understanding the similarities and differences in attitudes, knowledge and training on food allergies between restaurant managerial staff and employees would help restaurants to plan and implement policies and training that best fit both managerial staff and employees.
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Tarik Dogru (Dr. True), Makarand Amrish Mody, Lydia Hanks, Courtney Suess, Cem Işık and Erol Sozen
The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on key performance metrics of accommodation properties by elaborating on the roles of business…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on key performance metrics of accommodation properties by elaborating on the roles of business models (i.e. franchised, chain-managed and independent hotels, and the sharing economy) and state-level restrictions in the US.
Design/methodology/approach
The pandemic is considered a variable interference against the average daily rate, occupancy and revenue per available room, which permits the examination of the before and after effects of the pandemic. The panel data model is used to examine the effect of the recent pandemic on the accommodation sector in the USA.
Findings
The results showed that chain-managed hotels were the most adversely impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, while independent hotels were the least adversely impacted. Interestingly, and consistent with emerging consumer needs suggested by spatial distance theory, the pandemic does not have significant negative effects on Airbnb. The adverse impact of the pandemic on hotels was exacerbated in more restrictive states, while Airbnb remained immune to regulatory differences.
Research implications
This study addresses the dearth of research on the types, roles and efficacy of business models in the accommodation industry and makes important theoretical contributions to the study of business model resilience in the accommodation industry, leveraging the resource-based theory of the firm and spatial distance theory.
Originality
The findings of this study make a significant contribution to the extant literature on the resilience of business models in the accommodation industry and have important implications for hotels, Airbnb owners, accommodation brands and destination and health policymakers. They demonstrate that a lower level of corporate control and greater flexibility in brand and operational standards allow for a more effective response to business disruptions such as a global pandemic.
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Yee Ming Lee, Erol Sozen and Han Wen
This study explored how food allergies have affected food-related behaviors and quality of life of college students with food allergies and identified factors influencing food…
Abstract
Purpose
This study explored how food allergies have affected food-related behaviors and quality of life of college students with food allergies and identified factors influencing food choice decisions among this group of individuals.
Design/methodology/approach
One-on-one interviews were conducted with 26 college students with self-reported or clinically diagnosed food allergies, recruited from two universities located in the southern region of the United States. The participants were asked a series of questions based on a semi-structured discussion guide. Each interview lasted about 30 min; all interviews were audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim. The transcriptions were coded independently by three researchers, and themes were identified.
Findings
Food allergies affected the participants' food-related behaviors, including eating, food preparation and shopping, as well as some aspects of their quality of life. Individual factors, such as mood, other diseases, cultural background and sensory properties, also influenced food choices. Friends and families were the two most important social influencers of food choices. Regarding physical environmental factors, cost, convenience, value and variety were considered important in selecting food. However, the participants' food choices were less influenced by food advertisements and social media. Additionally, experiences and complex cuisines were also key factors in making food choices.
Research limitations/implications
Theoretically, this qualitative study applied a food choice decision framework in the context of college students with food allergies. Practical recommendations are provided, particularly to campus dining facilities, to fulfill the needs of college students with food allergies.
Originality/value
This study advanced the understanding of the complexity of food choice decision-making among college students with food allergies. A path diagram specific to food choice among college students with food allergies was developed based on the results of this study. This study also highlighted that food allergy management would involve various behavioral changes and revealed that the food choices are influenced by a wide range of factors.
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This study investigated whether consumers have reasonable estimates of the calorie content of Americans' top 10 favorite foods, explored the effects of calorie disclosure on…
Abstract
Purpose
This study investigated whether consumers have reasonable estimates of the calorie content of Americans' top 10 favorite foods, explored the effects of calorie disclosure on United States consumers' future consumption frequency of these food items, and examined the effects of health consciousness, food calorie knowledge, and attitudes toward menu labels on intention to use menu labels.
Design/methodology/approach
An online survey was developed, pilot tested, and distributed through Amazon Mechanical Turk (AMT). The overall model fit and hypotheses were tested using structural equation modeling (SEM).
Findings
The results from 1,005 completed surveys showed that the accuracy of calorie estimations varied across food items. Most consumers could not estimate the calories of steak, hamburgers, chocolate chip cookies, and vanilla ice cream within the acceptable range. Disclosure of calorie information did affect future consumption frequency of the food items. The SEM results showed that health consciousness, food calorie knowledge, and attitudes toward menu labels positively affected consumers' future intention to use menu labels.
Originality/value
This study points to a need to educate consumers about food calories and suggests plausible ways to encourage consumers' intention to use of menu labels.
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Erol Sozen, Martin O’Neill and Imran Rahman
Craft brewers in the USA have long sought to improve the efficiency of beer production to achieve their primary aims of improving the product and increasing profit margins. More…
Abstract
Purpose
Craft brewers in the USA have long sought to improve the efficiency of beer production to achieve their primary aims of improving the product and increasing profit margins. More recently, however, there has been a move toward the adoption of more sustainable production techniques aimed at reducing the environmental impact of the brewing process itself. This study aims to investigate the factors that drive engagement with environmental practices among US craft brewery owners.
Design/methodology/approach
The present study uses an exploratory sequential mixed methods design where, first, a qualitative thematic analysis was conducted via semi-structured in-depth interviews with 31 craft brewers from across the USA. Second, a quantitative online survey was distributed to craft brewers nationwide, and 237 valid responses were collected to rank the preidentified motivational factors.
Findings
The findings of the present study are in alignment with those of previous studies conducted in a broader business context. This study contributes to an understanding of the factors driving environmental engagement, as well as their relative significance to craft brewers, which is critical to increasing the ability to target financial and physical resources and make the brewing process more sustainable and environmentally friendly.
Research limitations/implications
The study has theoretical and practical implications for craft breweries, policymakers and academics. From the perspective of policy, there is limited work exploring this topic in the specific context of craft brewing. This study, thus, contributes to an understanding of the factors driving environmental engagement, as well as their relative significance to craft brewers – which is critical to increasing the ability to target resources, both financial and material, and make the brewing process more sustainable and environmentally friendly.
Originality/value
Identifying exactly what it is that guides the decision-making processes of craft brewery owners, in regard to the adoption of new or improved environmental practices, has several advantages. First, it serves as a guide to help breweries adapt to the evolving needs of a progressive society; second, it assists government and policymakers in formulating effective and relevant legislation; and third, it helps consumers to better understand their role and position in business processes and decision-making.
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During the post-World War II period, Turkey's housing supply models were limited to individual housings. Three main trends in the construction industry helped overcome this…
Abstract
During the post-World War II period, Turkey's housing supply models were limited to individual housings. Three main trends in the construction industry helped overcome this limitation to a certain extent. These were cooperative societies, spontaneous squatter housing and the build-sell process. Build-sell process later became the most obvious reflection of urban transformation in the 1950s and 1960s. Within this context, this study examines the housing policy of the period and the build-sell process as well as the Rer-1 Apartment Block designed in line with the build-sell process. The Rer-1 Apartment Block was designed and implemented by architect Nejat Ersin between the years 1962-1964, and was constructed in Aşağı Ayrancı District in Ankara. This specific apartment block was examined as an extraordinary example of the build-sell process - which rejects architectural concerns and prioritises profits - as it still incorporated such concerns despite being designed adhering to logic of the build-sell process. For the purpose of this study, an oral history study was conducted with Nejat Ersin. It was, therefore, possible to evaluate Nejat Ersin's apartment block, presenting a new experience in the build-sell context, within the scope of era's social, cultural, political and economic conjecture. The Rer-1 Apartment Block was scrutinized from the build-sell process aspect within the scope of the architect's professional approach.
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Mehmet Akif Ceviz, Faraz Afshari, Burak Muratçobanoğlu, Murat Ceylan and Eyüphan Manay
The purpose of this paper is to experimentally and numerically investigate the cooling performance of the air-to-water thermoelectric cooling system under different working…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to experimentally and numerically investigate the cooling performance of the air-to-water thermoelectric cooling system under different working conditions.
Design/methodology/approach
An air-to-water thermoelectric cooling system was designed and manufactured according to the principle of discrete binary thermoelectric Peltier modules, and the thermal performance, heat transfer rate and average COP values were examined at different cooling water temperatures and voltages applied. Additionally, numerical simulations were performed by computational fluid dynamics approach to investigate the temperature distribution and airflow structure inside the cooling chamber.
Findings
Analyses were performed using experimental tests and numerical methods. It was concluded that, by decreasing the cooling water temperature from 20 to 5 °C, the average COP increases about 36%. The voltage analysis showed that the efficiency of the system does not always increase as the voltage rises; more importantly, the optimum voltage is different and depends on whether it is desired to increase COP or increase the cooling rate.
Originality/value
In the studies published in the field of thermoelectric cooling systems, little attention has been paid to the voltage applied and its relationship to other operating conditions. In most cases, the tests are performed at a constant voltage. In this study, several options, including applied voltage and cooling water temperature, were considered simultaneously and their effects on performance have been tested. It was found that under such studies, optimization work should be done to evaluate maximum performance in different working conditions.
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Enqin Gong, Yousong Wang, Xiaowei Zhou and Jiajun Duan
Environmental, social and governance (ESG) can enhance the sustainable value and profitability of assets by improving environmental responsibility, social benefits and governance…
Abstract
Purpose
Environmental, social and governance (ESG) can enhance the sustainable value and profitability of assets by improving environmental responsibility, social benefits and governance quality. However, there is a lack of research on the ESG aspects of the asset sustainability of infrastructure Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs), particularly in terms of how ESG affects asset sustainability and their intrinsic relationships. Therefore, this study aims to explore the ESG factors affecting the asset sustainability of infrastructure REITs and their intrinsic linkages, in order to enhance the long-term sustainability of the asset.
Design/methodology/approach
The study employed structural equation modeling (SEM) to analyze the relationship between ESG factors and the sustainability of infrastructure REITs, through a comprehensive literature review and questionnaire survey to collect data. This method aims to provide a quantitative analysis framework to assess the impact strength and interactions of these factors.
Findings
The 11 ESG factors positively influence the sustainability of infrastructure assets. Specifically, carbon emission management, information disclosure and infrastructure asset management have the most substantial impacts, with path coefficients of 0.830, 0.814 and 0.817, respectively. Measures such as optimizing resource use, enhancing transparency and improving operational efficiency contribute to increased asset sustainability. Also, interviews indicate that asset managers and corporate executives with overseas educational backgrounds play a crucial role in the ESG management of infrastructure assets. Sustainability can be enhanced by promoting sustainable technologies and enhancing cross-cultural communication.
Practical implications
The results offer guidance for infrastructure REIT managers and policymakers, emphasizing the importance of strengthening specific ESG practices to enhance sustainability. This provides an empirical basis for optimizing ESG policies and practices, helping to advance infrastructure REITs towards more sustainable development directions.
Originality/value
This study offers new insights into the field of ESG for infrastructure REITs in China by providing specific analysis of ESG factors and applying SEM. The originality of this study lies in its deep exploration of the specific impact factors within the ESG dimensions and quantifying their relationship with sustainability, offering strong scientific support for the sustainable development practices of infrastructure REIT.